996 C4 3.4L 1997-08/01

The four wheel drive, 996 Carrera 4, introduced in 1998, marked a significant departure for the esteemed 911 lineage, ushering in two major changes: the adoption of a water-cooled flat-6 engine, replacing the beloved air-cooled engine that had been a staple of the 911 for 34 years, and a comprehensive redesign of the body shell. The transition to a water-cooled engine sparked controversy among Porsche purists, who saw it as the end of the era of the 'true' 911.

The styling of the 996 borrowed its front end from Porsche's mid-engined Boxster and Pinky Lai's design work on the exterior garnered international acclaim, earning several design awards between 1997 and 2003.

With a coefficient of drag of 0.30, the Carrera variant boasted impressive aerodynamics. However, the interior faced criticism for its simplicity and departure from the aesthetic of previous 911 models, particularly from owners of older iterations. Featuring an engine displacement of 3.4 liters, the power output was rated at 300 PS (221 kW; 296 hp), showcasing innovations such as an "integrated dry sump" design and variable valve timing.